breast lump but ok mammo and ultrasound

[HeidiY]

Hi.  I'll tell you about myself first, 34 year old female, history of cystic breasts, partial hysterectomy at age 32, both ovaries removed at age 33, on estrogen replacement therapy for 8 months.  New lump on right breast located at 12 o'clock.  Swollen lymph node under right arm.  Pain in breast and under arm, like something is pinching.  Discovered lump in December and has grown since.  Had mammogram and ultrasound Tuesday, told they look ok.  I'm still scared.  I'm going for a second opinion today.  What could it be?

[HeidiY]

I had an appointment with my gyno yesterday and she explained some things to me.  The technician of the mammogram and ultrasound should not have said that the tests came out fine.  They came out inconclusive.  The mass did not show up on the ultrasound because it is not fluid filled and it was difficult to see anything on the mammo because I have extremely dense breast tissue.  I am scheduled for a biopsy on Wednesday morning.  Thanks for the helpful comments.  At this point piece of mind is what I'm striving for!

[susan m k]

My intention is not to scare you.  Insist on a second opinion.  I was diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer after being told two differant times (by the radiologist and my gynocologist) that the lump I felt (which also hurt) was not cancer.  I had dense breast tissue and the lump didn't show up well on both the mammogram and the ultasound.  Evidently lobular cancer isn't very visible on these tests.  14 months after I first felt the lump (it was much larger) I insisted they do a biopsy.  Lo and behold...  Trust yourself, Susan K

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear HeidiY, With your history of cystic breasts it could be another cyst causing the problem, however, you would think the ultrasound would have described the fluid-filled cyst.  If the mammogram and ultrasound have not explained the lump, a second opinion makes sense.  A biopsy may be the next step in the evaluation process.